Beautiful Nighttime Photos

From Tokyo to Ohio, these Instagram shots uploaded by T+L followers reveal how the world looks after dark.

From Tokyo to Ohio, these Instagram shots uploaded by T+L followers reveal how the world looks after dark.

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Travel + Leisure

There’s a special energy that emanates from Hong Kong at night—and even residents like Ariel Lee can’t help feeling inspired. She recently posted a dreamy nighttime photo to her Instagram account, gushing, “So lucky to call this place home.”

She also used the hashtag #TLPicks, responding to our call for followers on Instagram and Twitter to submit photos of nightscapes. Urban scenes like Lee’s Hong Kong shot dominated, although our favorites also include an image that captures the hushed last gasp of sunset in Andalusia, Spain, and another with stars twinkling above the Serengeti.

While most sightseeing happens by day, these photos highlight how a destination reveals another side of its personality after dark. (Don’t worry, the City of Light is still filled with a magical glow after the sun goes down.) You’ll also notice the increasing ability for travelers to make their mark on a place, by using Instagram filters and editing applications to tweak their shots.

So put on your night-vision goggles for a photo tour of images from around the globe.

New York City

Toronto

Serengeti

I camped in one of these tents at Prince Charles campsite in the Serengeti. At night the stars lit up the sky and you could see hyenas and elephants. The sounds of the lions roaring echoed across the campsite. #Tanzania